The actor Nakamura Utaemon IV as Taira Shinno Masakado
c. 1847/52
Medium
Color woodblock print; oban
Dimensions
36.5 × 24.6 cm (14 3/8 × 9 11/16 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
92257
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
In the vibrant world of 19th-century Japanese theater, Utagawa Kunisada I (also known as Toyokuni, 1786–1865) masterfully captured the drama of kabuki with this striking color woodblock print, *The Actor Nakamura Utaemon IV as Taira Shinno Masak*, created around 1847–52. A leading figure in the ukiyo-e tradition—"pictures of the floating world"—Kunisada specialized in yakusha-e, or actor portraits, that immortalized star performers in iconic roles. Here, the renowned onnagata (specialist in female roles) Nakamura Utaemon IV embodies the fierce 10th-century rebel Taira no Masakado, a historical warlord who challenged imperial authority, blending historical legend with theatrical flair. This oban-sized print (36.5 × 24.6 cm), from the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, exemplifies the technical brilliance of woodblock printing. Artisans carved intricate blocks for each color layer, allowing Kunisada's bold lines, rich gradients, and dynamic poses to leap off the page—Utaemon's intense gaze and flowing robes convey raw power and emotion. During Japan's Edo period, such prints were affordable souvenirs for theatergoers, fueling a booming popular culture amid strict social hierarchies. Kunisada's work highlights kabuki's cultural dominance, where actors like Utaemon became celebrities, their images as coveted as modern posters. This piece not only showcases ukiyo-e's artistic peak but also preserves a snapshot of Japan's theatrical heritage, inviting us to feel the pulse of a bygone era's passions.
About the Artist
Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) · 1786–1864
Utagawa Kunisada I, also known as Toyokuni III (1786–1865), was born Sumida Shōgorō in the Honjo district of Edo (modern Tokyo) into a family that operated a hereditary ferry-boat service, providing stability after his father's early death. Displaying prodigious talent in drawing from childhood, he became an apprentice to the master Utagawa Toyokuni I around 1801 at age fifteen, entering the prest...